Fix GoHighLevel SMS Workflow Errors

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How to Fix GoHighLevel Workflow Trigger Messaging Error Code: SMS

If your automations are failing with a mysterious SMS error, this guide walks you step-by-step through troubleshooting in GoHighLevel. Teams used to tools like ClickUp or other CRMs will find similar logic here: identify the failed step, inspect the contact, correct the configuration, and safely retry your workflow.

This how-to article is based on the official documentation and shows you exactly where to click, what to check, and how to prevent the same error from happening again in your account.

What the GoHighLevel SMS Error Code Means

When a workflow text message fails, GoHighLevel shows a Workflow Trigger Messaging Error Code: SMS. This message simply means that the platform attempted to send an SMS to a contact from inside a workflow, but something in the configuration or the contact record prevented successful delivery.

Common causes include:

  • Missing or invalid phone number.
  • Phone number not in the correct format for the selected country.
  • Contact opted out of SMS.
  • No assigned or active phone number for the location.
  • Issues with the message content or sending provider.

To resolve the error in GoHighLevel, you need to open the detailed message log and work through the exact reason for failure.

Step 1: Open the Message Level Error in GoHighLevel

The first step is to locate the exact message that failed inside GoHighLevel so you can see the detailed status.

  1. Log in to your GoHighLevel account and open the location where the workflow is running.

  2. Go to Conversations in the left-hand menu.

  3. Find the contact conversation that includes the failed SMS. You should see an alert or a status icon indicating that the message did not send.

  4. Click directly on the failed message to open the detailed view. This will reveal the messaging error code and any related description from the provider.

This message-level view is critical because it tells you whether the problem is the phone number, opt-out status, or something else.

Step 2: Interpret the SMS Error Explanation

Inside the message details, GoHighLevel will display an error code and, in many cases, a brief description. Use that information to understand why the message failed.

Typical explanations may point to:

  • Invalid or missing phone number — the contact’s number field is blank or incorrectly formatted.
  • Carrier or provider rejection — the destination carrier blocked the message.
  • Opt-out status — the contact previously replied STOP or otherwise unsubscribed.
  • Configuration error — there is no active sending number configured for that workflow or location.

Note the exact wording or code because each cause requires a different fix in GoHighLevel.

Step 3: Check the Contact Record in GoHighLevel

Once you understand the general reason for the failure, inspect the contact directly in GoHighLevel.

  1. From the conversation view, click on the contact’s name to open the full contact record.

  2. Verify that the phone number field is filled in correctly, including country code if required.

  3. Confirm that the country or region is correct if your account uses country-based formatting for SMS.

  4. Look at the Do Not Disturb (DND) or unsubscribed settings for SMS. If the contact has opted out, GoHighLevel will not send automated texts.

If necessary, correct the phone number or update the contact details so future workflow steps can send without triggering a new SMS error.

Step 4: Review Location and Number Settings in GoHighLevel

If the phone number and permissions look correct, the next place to check is the location settings inside GoHighLevel.

  1. Navigate to Settings for the location where the workflow is configured.

  2. Open the Phone Numbers or Twilio/Telephony section (depending on your setup).

  3. Verify that you have at least one active phone number assigned to the location and that it supports SMS for the country you are messaging.

  4. Make sure that the appropriate number is selected as the default for SMS or is assigned in the workflow where the error occurred.

Without an active and properly configured number, workflow messages will continue to fail with the same error in GoHighLevel.

Step 5: Confirm the Workflow Configuration in GoHighLevel

After verifying contact and telephony settings, review the workflow itself. A misconfigured action can also produce the trigger messaging error.

  1. Open Automation > Workflows in GoHighLevel.

  2. Select the workflow where the SMS failed.

  3. Locate the specific Send SMS or Send Message action that produced the error.

  4. Check that the action is set to the correct From Number and that it uses the desired messaging channel (SMS, not only email or social).

  5. Review the message content to confirm it follows your provider’s guidelines and does not include blocked words or formatting that might cause rejection.

Save any changes and be sure the workflow is published once your adjustments are complete.

Step 6: Safely Test and Retry in GoHighLevel

After addressing the root cause, you should test to ensure the problem is fully resolved in GoHighLevel.

  1. Create a test contact with your own phone number.

  2. Manually add the test contact into the workflow or trigger the same event that originally caused the error.

  3. Watch the Conversations tab to confirm that the SMS is now sent successfully without the workflow trigger messaging error code.

  4. Once verified, you may choose to manually resend messages to affected contacts or allow them to re-enter the workflow naturally.

Testing each change ensures you do not repeatedly trigger the same SMS failure inside GoHighLevel.

Preventing Future GoHighLevel SMS Workflow Errors

To reduce the chance of seeing the workflow trigger messaging error code again, build prevention into your GoHighLevel setup.

GoHighLevel Contact Management Best Practices

  • Use required fields for phone numbers on your forms.
  • Validate the phone number format when contacts are added or imported.
  • Regularly clean your contact list to remove clearly invalid numbers.
  • Respect and track opt-out status so you do not attempt SMS to unsubscribed contacts.

GoHighLevel Workflow and Number Configuration Tips

  • Always assign a valid sending number before activating new workflows.
  • Test each workflow with internal numbers before releasing it to live leads.
  • Keep a record of message templates that have passed provider filtering without issues.
  • Monitor delivery reports in GoHighLevel for patterns of failure by region or carrier.

Where to Find the Official GoHighLevel Documentation

For the original reference about the Workflow Trigger Messaging Error Code: SMS, you can review the official help article from the platform here: GoHighLevel support — Workflow Trigger Messaging Error Code: SMS.

If you are implementing broader CRM, automation, and AI improvements alongside GoHighLevel, you may also find strategic consulting resources useful at Consultevo.

Summary: Resolving GoHighLevel SMS Workflow Errors Efficiently

When you encounter the workflow trigger messaging error code in GoHighLevel, follow this repeatable process:

  1. Open the failed message and read the detailed error description.

  2. Check and correct the contact phone number and opt-out status.

  3. Verify that your location has an active SMS-capable number.

  4. Review workflow actions, from number selection, and message content.

  5. Test with an internal contact and monitor Conversations for success.

By systematically reviewing each layer of configuration, you will restore reliable SMS sending in your workflows and maintain healthy campaign performance in GoHighLevel.

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